Enzo-Fernandez-celebrates-scoring-for-Argentina
Chelsea are still attempting to seal the signing of Enzo Fernandez but Benfica are ‘holding firm’, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
The Lowdown: Endless Chelsea links
No player has been linked with the Bkues more this month than the Argentine, who is still basking in the glory of his country’s 2022 World Cup success.
Fernandez enjoyed an exceptional tournament in Qatar, being named the Best Young Player, and he is now viewed as one of the finest young midfielders in Europe, ranking highly in several metrics on FBRef’s database.
With time running out in the January transfer window, a new update has emerged regarding Chelsea’s pursuit of the 22-year-old.
The Latest: Fresh update emerges
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Sheth said that the saga is still ‘definitely one to watch’, but Benfica are remaining stubborn:
“It is definitely one to watch but, as it stands with only six days to go in this window, Benfica are standing firm.
“They want that release clause or the deal doesn’t happen and you’ve got to think, with so little time to go, they’re still in the last 16 of the Champions League and how would they bring in a replacement in the time that remains?
“Also, a potential selling club would know that they’ve got £106million burning a hole in their pocket and they’ll just raise the price.”
The Verdict: Late signing would be huge
The longer this situation goes on, the more it looks as though Chelsea may have to wait until the summer to sign Fernandez, given Benfica’s unchanged stance.
That being said, there is still clear hope that the Blues could get their man this month and he is precisely what Graham Potter needs in the middle of the park, having been hailed as ‘spectacular’ by none other than Lionel Messi.
At 22, the £42,000-a-week earning midfield is almost a decade younger than the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, and he would bring fresh legs, having averaged an incredible 3.8 tackles per game in the Champions League this season.
A midfield signing is desperately needed, in order for Chelsea’s top-four challenge to gain some momentum, and Fernandez looks like the perfect addition given the technical ability and off-the-ball work he possesses.
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